Interview with Author Regan Walker

"Walker stuns with her gift for storytelling, magically entwining historic fact and fiction to create a thought provoking, sensual romance, one that will stay with you."
 – Chicks, Rogues & Scandals

HFP: When did you first decide or realize you wanted to write books?

RW: I came late to writing novels. At a time in my life when I had much time on my hands and was reading a lot, including historical romance, which I love, my best friend encouraged me to write one. That was in 2010. In 2011 I wrote Racing with the Wind. It was published in 2012 and, since then, I’ve written 14 more.

HFP: What would you claim as your most interesting writing quirk?

RW: Well, I don’t plot. I let the history and the characters lead me. I always love those reviewers who compliment me on “an intricate plot”. Ha! It’s kismet. And in recent years, I also write from a Pinterest board I do for each book. I’m very visual so it keeps me on track.

HFP: Where do the ideas for your books come from? What inspires you to write the books you do?

RW: Generally a character might come to mind and then I place that person in history. What would he do in such an era? What kind of a woman would she be in this place in history? And that leads me to my stories.

HFP: What was the most surprising to you about getting published for the first time?

RW: It was such a delight to see my first book published. I didn’t have years to go after an agent and a publisher so I was thrilled when a publisher wanted my book.

HFP: What advice do you have for aspiring and or newbie authors?

RW: The most important thing is to finish the book, but not before learning something of the craft and the genre you want to write in. Then get some neutral eyes on the manuscript. A critique group of writers who write what you do can be very helpful.

HFP: If you could do one thing differently on your journey to becoming a published author what would it be?

RW: I would have started earlier in my life.

HFP: What has been your favorite book to write so far and why is it your favorite?

RW: I think it is The Red Wolf’s Prize because it was set in medieval England and deep in history of William the Conqueror. I love my hero and heroine in that “enemies to lovers”

story. It won the RONE award and it’s been very popular with my readers. It was the first of the award-winning Medieval Warriors series.

HFP: What qualities do you think make a great story that keeps readers coming back for more?

RW: I like characters who draw you into their lives and I like some adventure and action. A little mystery is always good, too. Good writing without an intriguing story falls flat.

HFP: How long does it take you to write one of your books?

RW: When I can concentrate on my writing, six months. A novella might take two months. But now that I’m working again, writing is coming more slowly. It might be a book a year for a while.

HFP: Okay, this is the fun question, if you could only choose one, would you choose coffee or chocolate and why?

RW: I love dark chocolate, but caffeine in a hot drink is essential. So, it would have to be coffee. A mocha is a nice combination of both!

Bio: 

Regan Walker is an award-winning, bestselling author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romances. Her stories often feature a demanding sovereign who taps his subjects for special assignments. Each of her novels includes real history and real historical figures as characters. And, of course, adventure and love, sometimes on the high seas!

Author Links:

Regan's website: http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/

Regan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regan.walker.104

Regan Walker's Readers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReganWalkersReaders/

Pinterest Storyboard for the book: https://www.pinterest.com/reganwalker123/a-secret-scottish-christmas-by-regan-walker/

Thank you for being on In the Hot Seat Regan! :-)